Recently released starter will work out of bullpen

Amid a series of roster moves before Tuesday night’s game against the Reds, the Padres signed right-hander Bud Norris to a major league contract for the remainder of the season.

Norris, who was released Saturday by the Orioles, will pitch in relief. He has been a starter throughout his career, but he’d struggled mightily this season, posting a 7.08 ERA over 18 appearances.

“Obviously, it was a difficult year in Baltimore,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said. “It was a chance to bring him in here in maybe a little different role. He’s a talent. He’s performed and done well on good teams. We wanted to bring him in here and see what he does over the next several weeks.

“We’re intrigued in a shorter role, to see how his stuff plays up for the rest of the year.”

Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said Norris will work one-inning stints of middle relief, with a chance to move into a larger role. Brandon Maurer was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation, while another reliever, Dale Thayer, was designated for assignment. The Padres also officially selected Colin Rea to make the evening’s start against Cincinnati, designated Double-A infielder Taylor Lindsey for assignment and outrighted catcher Tim Federowicz to Triple-A.

“I think in the future, he could play a significant role depending on how he does,” Murphy said of Norris. “We know what he’s done in the game.”

Most notably, Norris went 15-8 with a 3.65 ERA last year while helping the Orioles win the American League East. This season, his final one before free agency, he had been plagued by inconsistency since spring training and eventually lost his spot in the rotation. His struggles included missing nearly a month with a severe case of bronchitis.

“I had an amazing run with Baltimore last year but got sick and battled some things. But honestly, to get another opportunity to play this game that I love here in San Diego, on the West Coast, near my family – it’s truly a blessing is disguise,” said Norris, a Novato, Calif., native who played collegiately at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “I’m just excited to be here, want to do my part and help these guys. Anything can happen in the last two months.”

Drafted in the sixth round in 2006 by the Astros, the 30-year-old is 55-66 with a 4.43 ERA over parts of five seasons with Houston and parts of three with Baltimore.

“I have always been a pretty confident guy,” said Norris, who over his career has averaged 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings. “I have played this game for a long time now. I’m blessed to have played six years in the big leagues already; it’s been amazing. I know I can pitch, I know I can compete. I still have a love and burning desire to play this game.”

Norris went on the DL with bronchitis in mid-May. He said he lost “about 16, 17 pounds.”

“I am still kind of battling it a little bit,” he said. “My immune system didn’t like it or take to it too much, but feeling a lot better, so just happy to be in a uniform and go out and play baseball.”

Norris didn’t want to use his sickness as an excuse for his performance, but he admitted it affected him “mentally” before he landed on the sidelines.

“When I was out there I was a deer in headlights and I wasn’t comprehending what I was trying to do” he said. “So when I wasn’t in the right mind frame to do my job, I felt that’s when it kind of spiraled out of effect. I knew something was wrong, I am thankful to get the time to get better and go from there.”

After moving to the bullpen, Norris posted an 8.44 ERA in seven appearances. He did strike out 11 in 10 2/3 innings. He has relied primarily on a mid-90s fastball and a slider, also mixing in a sinker and a change-up.

“We’ve had positive scouting reports on him the last few years, he’s struck some guys out and been a quality starting pitcher,” Preller said. “We’re bringing him in in a different role and see how it plays out. I think it was more about taking a chance on a buy-low guy, seeing if there’s some upside to him.

“It’s a chance over the next six weeks to put him in this role and see how he does. And at that point, we’ll re-evaluate.”

Norris is making $8.8 million this season. Since he was released, the Padres are on the hook for only the prorated portion of the major league minimum - approximately $150,000.